Cycling

Cycling

Touring the French countryside: Brent Bookwalter (’06)

Jul 19, 2011

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE --- Brent Bookwalter is
not your typical cyclist. He didn't come from a cycling pedigree,
in fact, he was just an average kid who started on a mountain bike.
As time progressed, his talents did as well, and today, Bookwalter
is helping push BMC Racing teammate Cadel Evans toward a podium
finish in the Tour de France.

Bookwalter spent his time at Lees-McRae College pushing his
limits both on and off the bike. Brent helped bring nine national
championships to the college, while pursuing a BA in Biology.
Brent's accomplishments at Lees-McRae earned him induction into
the Bobcat Hall of Fame in 2010. Brent hit the professional ranks
in 2005, and in 2008 he signed with BMC Racing, which is one of the
elite teams in the world.

Brent has pieced together a great young career, and looks to
push his career farther while becoming an integral part of the BMC
team. The Bobcat Hall-of-Fame member has captured the hearts of
many around campus as he has risen among the elite in the cycling
world.

"Getting up every morning to watch and see if we can pick him
out of the crowd is a ritual for my family in these three weeks of
July," said Lees-McRae Director of Athletics, Craig McPhail.
"Knowing how polite and good spirited he is makes it so very
worthwhile to pull for him, Cadel, George and the rest of the BMC
guys."

Good luck and safe travels Brent, we're all rooting for you
here in Banner Elk, N.C.

Update: July 19, 2011

With Stage 15 in the books and Stage 16 of the 2011 Tour
underway, Bookwalter's teammate Cadel Evans sits in sixth place in
the overall standings. Bookwalter has been helping protect Evans
and move him closer to a Tour de France Victory.

You can keep up with the Tour on the Versus Network and keep
an eye out for Bookwalter (jersey number 142) and all of his BMC
Racing teammates. You can keep up with Brent online at www.brentbookwalter.com or on
Twitter at Twitter.com/brentbookwalter.
You can also keep up-to-date on the BMC Racing Team here.